70 injured in devastating tanker explosion in Italy

Loss of concentration appears to be to blame

AT LEAST 70 people have been injured in a devastating tanker explosion on an autostradale in Bologna, Italy.

Captured on film by a nearby surveillance camera, the destruction was initially triggered when the driver of the fuel tanker appeared to lose concentration and fail to stop for queuing traffic, crashing heavily into stationary trucks.

Moments later the burning transporter was engulfed by an almighty explosion, with the blast being strong enough to destroy part of the bridge the blaze was raging on. The collapse ended up spreading the fire to a nearby car park too.

According to local police, the driver of the tanker was killed during the accident, and at least 70 people were injured in the fireball, with some requiring emergency treatment for severe burns.